Healing Strategies

Julie K. Silver, M.D., writes in a wonderful article, SUPER HEALING, published Nov/Dec 2008 in AARP, The Magazine, about things one can do to promote healing from a variety of serious illnesses. The major topics are nutrition, sleep, and exercise. She explains that when you are well you might get away with neglecting some healthy living habits, but when you are sick there are things you can do to help your body heal.

Boosting the immune system to help recovery is her main focus. Once a cancer patient, she writes from experience as well as from her medical background. She is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and has written several books.

She lists some "Mental strategies that can boost your potential to heal." Reducing pain, being aware of your general mood, seeking friendly support, taking time to pray or reflect daily, and finding ways to relax -- including muscle relaxation are important to consider.

Black Bear microwave heating pad

In consideration of the latter -- relaxation techniques -- heat therapy helps to relax tight muscles. During temporary periods of inactivity after surgery a warmer will stimulate circulation and take the chill off cold hands and feet.  A Cozy Sheep, Bear, or Cat Warmer might be the ideal way to show your support. Maine Warmers' microwave heating pads are portable and easy to use.

Setting Goals to Lose and Maintain Weight for an Active Lifestyle

The Mayo Clinic offers ten tips to start a weight loss program, the most important of which to set realistic goals and write them down.Sometimes people think that when goals are on paper that they are written in stone, but as we become more self-aware, learn new thing, and change our ways, our goals may need to be modified. A weight loss program should be evaluated every week.

Visualizing the person you want to be is a good way to think about setting personal weight goals for living actively and doing the things you want to do. Asking questions of ourselves such as how do we want to feel about ourselves right now and as we grow older are important. What do we want to achieve? What do we do when we have reached our weight goals and want to maintain a healthy weight for an active lifestyle?

A weight loss program that helps us feel confident and better about ourselves is one that should include positive thoughts for good mental health and growth -- not self-deprecating name calling or put downs. Do not allow others to undermine your confidence in yourself. That kind of behavior can only have a negative impact. A positive support group will help you achieve your goals.

Extra Large Microwave Heating Pad for the Back

Relaxation is an important part of life that allows us to stay focused on those goals. When we are tired or stressed we tend to forget the goals and generally become frazzled. Having goals written down helps keep us focused. If you are stressed, try a little heat therapy to help relax tired and tense muscles. A Neck Warmer or a Back Warmer may help when life is stressful. Maine Warmers Comforting Creatures make great gifts for someone who is trying to lose weight.

Cozy Sheep Heating Pad

How to create a home spa

When the budget is tight and you feel like you could use a bit of rejuvenation, treating oneself to a spa treatment may not be high on the priority list. There are a few things you can do that cost only a few dollars to give yourself a little lift -- especially in the middle of winter.

Plan a week of meals that allows you to lose a few pounds. Eat lots of veggies and fruits, keep the carbs low by focusing on meat, veggies, and fruit. Make sure to exercise 45 to 60 minutes each day all week. Plan the week so that you can give yourself 3 to 4 hours on Saturday or whatever day you have off for some self-indulgence.

Luxuriate in a a hot bath, while listening to relaxing music. Then give yourself a pedicure, and a manicure. Put moisturizing lotion on your face and take five minutes to massage your face. Remove any unwanted facial hair with a magnifying mirror. Put some moisture lotion on your feet and massage it in for five minutes. Then put rub it on your elbows and hands. Massage each hand for 5 minutes. Take a few deep breaths and relax.

Do whatever you do to make your hair look its best. Put on some clothes that make you feel good.

Get together with friends. The best looking thing you can wear is a smile. Enjoy conversation and laugh.

If you need to relax before bed, heat a Maine Warmer in the microwave then wrap it around the back of your neck to help ease tension. A Dachshund Neck Warmer conforms to the body. A Cozy Cat microwave body warmer can also help to relax sore tight muscles. All will last much longer than a pricey spa treatment and will help you relax and get your beauty sleep.

Healthy Outdoors

Outside activities make winter fun, but a healthy respect for cold weather and water is critical to preventing accidents and hypothermia and enjoying the outdoors. Being in good physical shape, dressing in layers and taking precautions regarding safety can help. Be a Scout and be prepared for the worst.

• Wear a hat -- most heat loss is through the head.
• Don't overdo -- sweating causes clothing to get wet and in cold weather can cause chills.
• Wear clothing that wicks away moisture and dries quickly.
• Wool will keep you warm even if it is wet.
• Stay as dry as you can. Be aware of places where cold and moisture can creep in -- around tops of mittens or gloves or tops of boots.
• Keep emergency supplies on you. Extra matches, candles, blankets, food (granola bars and crackers), and a cell phone. Keep extras in your car. 

If you have an elderly neighbor you might want to check on him or her to make sure the environment is healthy in colder months. Sometimes age or Alzheimer's can have an impact on a person's ability to make sound judgments and decisions.

Maine Warmers will not help you on the side of a mountain unless you have access to a microwave oven. But if you come in out of the cold and are frozen to the bone, Maine Warmers microwave heating pads will help. A Cozy Cat or a Dachshund Neck Warmer will keep you toasty warm without feeding or walking, and costs less than one vet bill. 

How to care for someone with hypothermia

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures -- especially in the water -- can cause the body temperature to drop and hypothermia to set in. According to the Mayo Clinic, the best way to treat a person with hypothermia is to do the following. Read their full article.

• Call 911 for assistance.
• Move the person to a warmer environment.
• Remove any wet clothing and cover them with blankets.
• Insulate them from the cold ground.
• Do not apply direct heat. Use warm compresses instead of heating pads on the core only -- neck, chest, and groin.
• Do not apply heat to legs and arms. Doing so could force cold blood back toward the heart and lungs.
• Do not give them alcohol. Warm drinks are fine if the person is not vomiting.
• Go gently. Do not rub the body vigorously as it could cause cardiac arrest.

Cold extremities can be painful, and a Maine Warmer can provide soothing comfort. A microwave heating pad on the hands or feet Black Bear Warm Compress may be just the thing to help bring body temperature up gently. It can be heated slowly in the microwave increasing the heat as necessary.

Who is Most at Risk for Hypothermia?

According to an article at the Mayo Clinic, those most at risk for hypothermia are people age 65 and older who may be taking medications that effect the body's ability to regulate body temperature.

Children may also be more prone to heat loss because the head to body ratio is larger and most heat loss occurs through the head. Children also may not want to stop playing to put more layers of clothes on. Infants have "a less efficient mechanisms for generating heat."

Those with mental impairment are at risk. People who may wander away from home and not be able to find their way back may suffer from hypothermia if they remain outside overnight. Also, drugs and alcohol may alter judgement causing similar issues.

Maine Warmers microwave heating pads will keep you warm in winter, inside or out.

To keep warm when the temperatures drop, try a Maine Warmers microwave heating pad instead of turning up the thermostat. If you know an elderly person who suffers with the cold, suggest a heating pad to add warmth. It can be taken into a cold car or on a frosty winter walk. Neck Warmers can be worn under a coat and Hand Warmers  will keep fingers from getting cold on winter walks..

Exercise - road map to independence as we age

"Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn't keep up with the removal of old bone." Mayo Clinic  This condition can rob us of our activity and independence as we age, especially if bones become so fragile that they break easily. Being wheelchair bound at any age is less fun than being able to walk freely and engage in activities.

Experts tell us that weight bearing exercise is critical to maintaining strong bones and balance to help prevent falls as we age. Some medical experts recommend a physician's guidance with exercises, especially if bone loss is in the back. Some say to use common sense and not overdo or cause pain. Exercise may feel uncomfortable but it should not cause pain. People well into their nineties can experience benefits of moderate exercise.

A physical therapist can explain and demonstrate how to do exercises correctly to avoid fractures or muscle pulls. Using proper posture and technique when exercising or participating in a sport can help prevent muscle soreness. There are online resources and books that also explain how to exercise, but if you do not do the exercises correctly you can cause damage to cartilage and connective tissues.

Warming up and stretching after exercise help to maintain flexibility. If you still experience tight muscles, try a heating pad to relax muscles, help blood flow and flexibility. Yoga is also a good exercise that is best done with an instructor who can guide you to do the routines properly.

Most people experience tenderness after exercising,
and we all make mistakes and move

the wrong way occasionally. Maine Warmers  microwave heating pads help relax sore or stiff muscles. When frozen, these warmers become ice packs that are soft and gentle on the skin and reduce swelling and pain.

Maine Warmers' Back Warmers and Neck Warmers offer hot and cold therapy to relieve muscle aches. Their Cozy Sheep, Black bears, Cats, Dachshunds, and more make great gifts for those who exercise -- or need to exercise.

The Mayo Clinic has reliable and updated information about osteoporosis and available treatments.

How to Prevent Back Pain and Relax Back Muscle Spasms

The most common type of pain in the US is back pain according to MedlinePlus,  Causes are often due to muscle spasms and degenerative disks. When we consider the aging process and our routine activities of lifting, twisting, and bending, it is reasonable to predict that most people will suffer some kind of back pain in their lifetimes.

The vertebrae are supported by back muscles and are separated by soft disks which cushion the bones of the spinal column. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae and nerves run away from the spinal cord to various parts of the body.

Spasms can cause muscles to lock up and inflict severe pain. Disk degeneration is when the soft disc

Microwave Back Warmer relaxes stiff back muscles.

between the vertebrae dry up and harden, becoming less soft and cushioning. Sciatica is when disc bulges and presses on a nerve causing severe pain or weakness, or numbness which goes down into the legs.

Stretching, watching our posture as we stand sit and lift, and exercise to build strong muscles that help support the back two to three times a week may help prevent back pain.

A Maine Warmers microwave heating pad will help relax sore stiff back muscles Their Back Warmers are Cozy Sheep make the perfect gift for a friend with back pain.

Cozy Black Sheep Microwave Heating Back Pad

safe and easy to use and help relieve muscle spasms and cramps. A

How to reduce pain in arthritic knees

Aside from maintaining a healthy weight through diet and appropriate exercise, there are a few other ways of easing the discomfort associated with arthritic conditions of the knees. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has a full article on knee conditions.

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs (NAIDS) are often recommended. Some physicians recommend taking dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin to help ease arthritis pain. Check with your own physician before taking these supplements as they may react with other medications.

You may want to try eliminating gluten from your diet and thus reduce inflammation. It may not get rid of your pain completely. The diet takes getting used to but there are now so many options in grocery stores and restaurants that it is not as hard to manage as it once was. Reading labels and looking up information on the internet helps.

Using a brace can stabilize the knee during particularly active periods of exercise.

Surgery may be the only option that relieves knee pain. Talk with your doctor and get a second opinion.

Heat may help to increase blood flow in the knee and make exercise less painful. Maine Warmers sells a Knee Pack that can be heated in the microwave -- or frozen if ice is needed to reduce swelling.  For a child with arthritis, the gift of a Bunny or Penguin heating pad offers comfort and companionship.

What to do when your arthritic knees are barking at you

Like the annoying bark of a dog, when your knees are burning they are sending you a message, loud and clear. If you have osteoarthritis you may want to lose some weight to stop the annoying bark and keep it from getting worse. A nutritionist or dietitian can help you shed some pounds and slow the deterioration of cartilage due to osteoarthritis while not making you feel starved. Just taking in the appropriate levels of vitamins C and D may help you retain knee cartilage and avoid pricey and risky surgeries. Ask your doctor for the recommended dosage for your age and activity level. Managing weight according to Arthritis Health Monitor, (Vol. 15, No. 6) Dec. 2008/January 2009, may be one of the best ways to maintain bone health. For More information on managing arthritis, go to Health Monitor.

As much as one doesn't want to move when arthritis is present exercise can help you feel better. A physical therapist, a trainer, or teacher at a reputable gym can set up a routine of exercises and show you how to do them appropriately to strengthen muscles without doing more damage to cartilage or connective tissues. Keeping muscles strong helps support and stabilize joints, plus exercise will help with weigh loss.

To increase flexibility and stimulate blood circulation try a microwave heating pad. Maine Warmers has a Knee Pack that can be heated and strapped onto the knee, and it can be frozen and used as a gentle, soothing ice pack. A Neck Warmer or Back Warmer can be wrapped around the knee to relax sore tight muscles and improve flexibility. Flexibility is critical to motion and your independence -- a great motivator.

Back Warmer              Knee Pack               Neck Warmer